The 44-year-old has endured an ill-fated first season in charge at Camp Nou. After leading his side to a record-breaking start to the campaign in La Liga, Vilanova then found out he was suffering from throat cancer.

That devastating setback has seen him spend the last 10 weeks in New York undergoing medical treatment and after taking two training sessions prior to the Catalans' 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo on Saturday, he will at last return to the touchline on Tuesday - much to the delight of Zubizarreta

Speaking to the club's official website, the club's sporting director said: "After a couple of months, this is a return to normality for us. Having him, and Eric Abidal back means we are back to normal, which is always good.

"Tito is fine and that's why he travelled with the team to Paris."

In Vilanova's absence, assistant Jordi Roura has taken control of first team affairs and guided the club to a 13-point lead at the top of the league table, while overcoming AC Milan to reach the last eight of the Champions League.